Ganesh Chaturthi 2019: Welcome Ganesha in an Eco-Friendly Avatar

Festivals and celebrations are a part of the social and cultural fabric of India. Every festival holds an importance and is celebrated with great enthusiasm in every corner of India. Ganesha Chatutrhi is one of the grand and divinest Hindu religious occasions to invoke Ganesha. It is a ten-day glorious birthday celebration of the God of wisdom. It is celebrated with utmost devotion and grandeur across the country, but it is extremely popular in the state of Maharashtra. Lord Ganesha is a symbol of wisdom and celebrating this splendid festival in an eco-friendly-style is a great initiative taken by the devotees to protect the environment. This year Ganesha invites you with a message “Go Green Ganesha” to care for your surroundings. This innovative concept of celebrating Ganesh Chaturthi is appreciated and accepted to a large extent. So, if you are planning to be the part of this massive “Green Ganpati” celebration, book your tickets to Mumbai where the celebration witnesses its uniqueness. Plan your journey via train to mesmerize the festive fever in the corners of India from train’s window. During train journey, cheer your festive mood by ordering food in train via RailRestro food ordering app. It helps you to add flavor in the excitement of celebration.

Concept behind Celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesha is the God of wisdom, prosperity and success pampered with different names like Ganpati, Ekdantaya, Vighnaharta and Bappa. Devotees celebrate the birth anniversary of Bappa as Ganesh chaturthi. There is a deep concept behind the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that while having bath Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from her sandalwood paste to protect her door while she finishes her bath. Shivji was not at home, but when he returned he was not permitted to come inside as Ganesha was not known to him. When Shiva was refused to enter, Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between two. Goddess Parvati was angry on Shiva and asked him to grant his life back. Shiva promised Parvati that Ganesha will live again. It was difficult for Shiva to find the head facing north of a dead person and could manage with the head of an elephant. He fixed the head of an elephant on Ganesha and gave him a new life. So, the day is celebrated as the birth date of Lord Ganesha. Another concept of celebrating Ganesh Chturthi is also related to birth of Ganesha to destroy the evils.

Concept behind Celebrating Ganesha Chaturthi
Ganesha is the God of wisdom, prosperity and success pampered with different names like Ganpati, Ekdantaya, Vighnaharta and Bappa. Devotees celebrate the birth anniversary of Bappa as Ganesh chaturthi. There is a deep concept behind the birth of Lord Ganesha. It is believed that while having bath Goddess Parvati created Ganesha from her sandalwood paste to protect her door while she finishes her bath. Shivji was not at home, but when he returned he was not permitted to come inside as Ganesha was not known to him. When Shiva was refused to enter, Shiva severed the head of Ganesha after a combat between two. GoddessParvati was angry on Shiva and asked him to grant his life back. Shiva promised Parvati that Ganesha will live again. It was difficult for Shiva to find the head facing north of a dead person and could manage with the head of an elephant. He fixed the head of an elephant on Ganesha and gave him a new life. So, the day is celebrated as the birth date of Lord Ganesha. Another concept of celebrating Ganesh Chturthi is also related to birth of Ganesha to destroy the evils.

Ganesh Chaturthi Celebration 2019
The admirers of Ganesha are all set to rejoice the enormous celebration with an innovation to conserve environment. Like every year, the festival is filled with the color of joy, happiness and delightness. But, it will be pleasing to see this gigantic celebration in an eco-friendly manner. Many of us might not have the clarity about Ganesh Chaturthi dates and time of Celebration. According to Hindu calendar, the schedule of Ganesh Chturthi is like:

“Green Ganpati” An Eco-Friendly Celebration:
Everybody loves to decorate the Ganesha idols with immense zeal. Idols are beautifully decorated and worshipped for ten days in the entire Maharashtra. But, the most serious impact of this occasion is on environment due to the immersion of idols in natural water body. The “Visarjan” ritual of “Vinayaka”is also celebrated as a grand ceremony where idols are immersed in rivers and sea. It has a poor impact on the lives of aquatic animals. The idols are made out of chemical materials and it causes significant water pollution. Plastics and thermocol are used to decorate the ‘Pandals’ which increases the non-biodegradable waste. The toxic waste from this material harms aquatic plants and animals. Celebrating eco-friendly Ganesh Utsav is a great idea to protect environment and other living beings.

Ways of celebrating eco-friendly Ganesh Chaturthi
Since the celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi is dedicated to conserve the atmosphere, it has been planned accordingly. People around the country follow their rituals of Ganesh Pujan, but in an environment –friendly style. They’re aware of the environmental hazards caused due to the bio-degradable waste which in turn harmsour mother nature.There are many green ways adopted to organize this grand festival with an eco-friendly approach. Following are the methods which can be used to welcome “Bappa”on this green earth.

Uses of eco-friendly Ganesh Idols
As “Go Green Ganesha” is the new mantra, say no to idols made of Plaster of Paris. This year it will be fascinating to see the idols of Ganesha made of clay, paper, and coconut. It is painted with natural colors. The devotees believe to prepare idols at home for Puja. These idols are easy to dissolve in water and it doesn’t harm the water bodies.

Limited in Size and Numbers:
During such massive religious celebration, devotees bring huge idols for Puja which takes much space. Bigger idols consume more clay for its construction. It is also quite difficult to immerse as the material is not soluble and takes time to be dissolved in water. Sometime it does not dissolve completely and you can find children playing with the parts of idols at sea side. It hurts the religious sentiments. Use of eco-friendly limited size idols is a great initiative to venerate Lord Ganesha.

Discourage the Plastic Bags
Plastic bags are not encouraged as it causes major environmental pollution. Cloth and jute bags are promoted to carry the offerings. Plates of banana leaves can be used to distribute Prasad.

Artificial Immersion Tank
The same water is used in irrigation or drinking purposes which is used during immersion. It will be a great idea to immerse the idols in an artificial water tank instead of immersing in rivers, lakes and seas.

Use of Energy Saving Lights
Switch on the decorative lights during evening aarti and when necessary. Energy saving is also a major step towards conserving the nature. Traditional bulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescent lights (CFL). Use colored papers to wrap the bulbs for more lights.

Noise Pollution Management:
Instead of loudspeakers, playing music in microphones and speaker is an appreciating concept to control the noise pollution. Loud music is harmful for the auditory canals in the ear. Especially in the case of children or elderly people, it might scale up to deaf ears. Devotees can enjoy the music between 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
Pack your bags and get ready to feel the charm of this eco-friendly Ganpati festival, 2019 on the streets of Mumbai. Because of the festive season you may find a rush in the train moving to Maharashtra. If your ticket falls in the list of waiting/RAC, you have to wait till the booking gets confirmed. It is easy to get updated with your booking by checking PNR status onlineregularly. Board your train to the corners of India where Ganesha Utsav is celebrated with great devotion and spirit. “Vighnaharta” showers his blessing with a message of “Environment Conservation”. Enjoy the festival by supporting the nature.

Cross Border Celebration of Ganesh Chaturthi:
Apart from the states like Maharashtra, Goa, Tamil Nadu, or Kerala, the festival is celebrated with a huge grandeur in other countries like Canada, Mauritius, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Burma, US, UK and Fiji. The Government in these countries has declared it as a public holiday.

United States of America (USA):
The festival attracts 10,000 visitors in the States, where the Indian community celebrate this festival with immense fervor. They import the idols from Mumbai and carry on to enjoy this devotional fest till the 11th date.

Canada
In Toronto, the Capital City of Canada, the Indian community with limited resources makes it a grand celebration by doing Aarti and distributing Prasad.

Mauritius:
52% of the total population in Mauritius are Indians. Though not on a large scale, the festival is celebrated in the regional temples or individual homes.

United Kingdom
Hounslow, the principle town in London also welcomes Lord Ganesha on a large scale.

Railrestro wishes you a “Happy Ganesh Chaturthi”, May Lord Ganpati fills your life with loads of success and prosperity.

Author: Rohit Choubey

Rohit is an avid guest blogger as well an eminent digital marketeer. He has immense passion towards food blogging. His hobbies include travelling, cooking and watching movies. He is the content analyst at RailRestro